McMenamins 20th Annual Olympic Club Brewfest

Half way between Portland and Seattle sits the city of Centralia. Known nowadays for its outlet mall that straddles I-5, a few miles to the east is the quaint downtown of Centralia. It is here next to Centralia’s Amtrak station where McMenamins Olympic Club calls home. On Saturday, April 23, things will become much more livelier at the Olympic Club when the 20th Annual Olympic Club Brewfest returns from 1:00 to 11:00pm.

The 20th Annual Olympic Club Brewfest will feature an array of beers and ciders from various McMenamins’ breweries that straddle both sides of the Columbia River. There will also guest breweries including Bale Breaker, Fish Brewing, Elliott Bay Brewing, Fremont Brewing, Spire Mountain Cider and more.

Admission to 20th Annual Olympic Club Brewfest is free but to partake in the festival’s beers the cost is $13 for a 10-sample taster punch card. All ages are welcome in the pub but it’ll be 21 and over in the brewery and theater.

Old St. Francis School Brewery – Bend, Ore.
Brewer: Mike “Curly” WhiteFather Scott’s Kölsch
This Kölsch is a crisp and mellow ale for any type of fun, any time of year! Father Scott’s Kölsch is light in body, as well as smooth and easy drinking. Slight malt characteristics give the Kölsch a rounded mouthfeel at first sip. Then the mild yet somewhat spicy hops ease onto your palate, which allows the smooth, dry finish to dance on your tastebuds! A pint of Kölsch with friends warms the soul as longer days poke their head around.
Malts: Pilsen, 2-Row, Vienna, Wheat
Hops: Chinook, Tettnanger
OG: 1.051 TG: 1.006 ABV: 5.7% IBU: 22 SRM: 3

East Vancouver Brewery – Vancouver, Wash.
Brewer: Tega ChijavadzeLady In Red
So many poets and artists have dedicated their time and creations to her — she is the mysterious Lady in Red. She appears in every era and every culture, full of passion and promise, inspiring, intriguing and seducing. She will charm you with her floral aroma and the way she lights up when you look at her. Every sip is like a gentle kiss; sweet, silky and smooth, with subtle flavors of chocolate, caramel and cloves toward the finish.
Malts: Pilsen, Rye, Caramel 15, Caramel 40, Caramel 75, Chocolate Malt, Flaked Barley
Hops: Brewer’s Gold, Idaho 7 and Meridian
OG: 1.060 TG: 1.011 ABV: 6.06% IBU: 39 SRM: 15

McMenamins on the Columbia – Vancouver, Wash.
Brewer: Jesse Grover8 Day Week Hefeweizen
It seems that there are only days for work and days for chores anymore; there needs to be another day for play! The Vienna and Munich Malts create the orange glow of this beer, while adding a crisp bready mouthfeel. The German Hefeweizen Ale Yeast creates a banana and clove flavor and aroma. Only a slight amount of hops were added to keep the brew nice and balanced. There isn’t enough time in the week, so capture a pint when the opportunity comes and create an extra day for you!
Malts: Golden Promise, Red Wheat, Munich, Vienna
Hops: Ultra, Sterling
OG: 1.043 TG: 1.008 ABV: 4.51 IBU: 25 SRM: 5

Mill Creek – Mill Creek, Wash.
Brewer: Charlton FultonCairngorm’s Courage Strong Scotch Ale
This Strong Scotch Ale is named after the Cairngorms Mountain Range in the Highlands of Scotland. The Cairngorms were once referred to as the Red Hills. Like the Cairngorms Mountain Range, Cairngorm’s Courage is a big and potentially dangerous trek through a range of reddish hues. This malt forward brew has just enough hop bitterness to counter the heavy malt sweetness, and the addition of Peat Smoked Malt gives it a subtle scotch smokiness for extra bite. The finishing sweetness and high alcohol content will give any worthy explorer the courage and energy to climb the Cairngorms.
Malts: Marris Otter Pale, U.S. Pale, Flaked Barley, Oat, Special Aromatic, Roasted Barley, Chocolate, Peat Smoked
Hops: Brewer’s Gold, U.S. Goldings
OG: 1.073 TG: 1.008 ABV: 8.4% IBU: 24 SRM: 18

Olympic Club – Centralia, Wash.
Brewer: Brian LawrenceBlaze of Glory
We’re going out in a blaze of glory with this beer! A big full-bodied, probably over-hopped, Double IPA. Made with pounds and pounds of Chinook, Centennial and Amarillo Hops, the citrus and floral flavors and aromas combine nicely with the premium malty sweetness. Go easy with this one — we have a few kegs, so no need to overindulge, just sip and enjoy!
Malts: 2-Row, Vienna, Carastan 30/37
Hops: Chinook, Centennial, Amarillo
OG: 01.090 TG: 1.015 ABV: 9.68% IBU: 100+ SRM: 8

Fremont Brewing – Seattle, Wash.Interurban IPA
Interurban India Pale Ale offers the adventurous beer lover a warm embrace of Northwest Pale Malt swirled with a hand-selected blend of Chinook, Centennial and Amarillo Hops. Interurban is bitter, as an IPA should be, yet balanced with copious aroma and flavor hops.
ABV: 6.2% IBU: 80Summer Ale
Summer Ale is tangerine flower in a glass – endless days distilled into the sweet nectar of barley and hops. There are four hundred and twenty reasons to enjoy this beer. Summer Ale is our answer to bigger is better. One grain, one hop. Simplicity…yet so much more.
ABV: 5.2% IBU: 45

Schooner Exact – Seattle, Wash.Hopvine IPA
Brewed in a post-modern Northwest IPA fashion, this beer’s lightly-sweet malt base balances the Chinook and Columbus Hops and huge late additions of Citra hops for flavor and aroma. Full of flavor, this beer is like drinking straight off the hopvine.
ABV: 6.1% IBU: 60Schwartzbier a.k.a. Dark Lager a.k.a. “May the Schwartz Be With You”
The Schwartzbier makes a comeback, perfect for those days when you want something dark but still light-bodied. The Dark Lager greets you with fruity notes on the nose, followed by lightly roasted malt flavors in the mouth.
ABV: 5.0% IBU: 23

Harmon Brewing – Tacoma, Wash.Orange Creamsicle Pale Ale
We use special German Malted Barley to round out the grain bill in this clean and crisp Pale Ale. Palisade and Cascade Hops provide a balanced finish. Whole Madagascar vanilla beans and orange blend together to create a wonderful creamsicle treat.
ABV: 4.4% IBU: 20Point Defiance IPA
Point Defiance IPA is brewed with five different malted barleys. Centennial, Columbus, Citra and Amarillo Hops result in a big hoppy flavor. Dry hopping with a second addition of Amarillo and Citra Hops provides this beer’s hop aroma.
ABV: 6.1% IBU: 70

Bale Breaker Brewing – Yakima, Wash.Field 41 Pale Ale
Don’t be fooled by the powerful hop aroma of Field 41 Pale Ale. Heavily dry-hopped with Simcoe and Ahtanum Hops, this perfectly sessionable Pale Ale drinks easy with a smooth bitterness and is named for the hop field that is home to Bale Breaker Brewing Company. Light and refreshing, it’s the perfect beer for a day on the river or afternoon on the slopes.
ABV: 4.5% IBU: 38Topcutter IPA
Our flagship IPA is a well-balanced yet aggressive West Coast IPA that showcases Yakima Valley Hops at their finest. Late additions of Simcoe, Citra, Ahtanum and Mosaic Hops give this beer its complex citrus, fruity and floral aroma and flavor. Named for a unique piece of farm equipment that removes hop vines from the trellis during the annual hop harvest, Topcutter IPA delivers loads of hoppiness all year long.
ABV: 6.8% IBU: 70

Dick’s Brewing – Centralia, Wash.The Better Half Unite Brown Ale
The women of Dick’s Brewing came together, with the help of Head Brewer Dave Pendleton, to brew their second batch of beer on International Women’s Collaboration Brew Day.
ABV: 5.5%Pale Ale
Dick’s Pale Ale is a mild and pleasantly approachable ale with a touch of residual sweetness. Caramel and chocolate specialty malts are combined with Premium Northwest 2-Row Malted Barley to create a light, amber colored wort. We add just enough hops for a delicate bitterness, subdued hop flavor and a nice aroma.
ABV: 4.8% IBU: 20

Scuttlebutt Brewing – Everett, Wash.Scuttlebutt’s Grodziskie a.k.a. “Polish Champagne”
This traditional Polish Wheat Ale is probably like nothing you’ve ever had…light golden in color featuring high carbonation, a moderate level of bitterness and mineral finish. The defining characteristic of this beer is Oak Smoked Wheat from Germany. The smoke is omnipresent but never overwhelms the rest of the ingredients; very sessionable but subtly complex.
ABV: 4.13% IBU: 19Scuttlebutt’s Jalapeno Triple 7
An interesting pairing. Scuttlebutt’s Jalapeno Triple 7 is a model of contrast. The broad pungent flavor of the jalapeno and serrano peppers marry beautifully with the delicate white pear and clove flavors present in the Triple 7. This beer isn’t a burner; it’s surprisingly refreshing and drinkable.
ABV: 9% IBU: 10

Heathen Brewing – Vancouver, Wash.MegaDank IPA
This annual release is a DRINK FRESH hop war in liquid form. Mega as in ridiculous amounts of amazing hops have been sacrificed repetitively to create flavor drama. Dank as in humid grassy notes that are chased by a residual hop oil that coats your tongue. MUST DRINK FRESH!
Malts: 2-Row, Vienna
Hops: Columbus, Amarillo, Citra, Simcoe, Galaxy
Yeast: American Ale
ABV: 9.3% IBU: 100+Raspberry Rhubarb Sour Ale
Get lost in this tart and fruity Sour Ale by sipping on another one of our Feral Series. It starts with a balanced acidic profile of a Sour Ale that has been blended with fresh raspberry and rhubarb puree.
Malts: Pilsner, Torrified Wheat, CaraHell
Hops: Amarillo, Saaz, El Dorado
Yeast: Lactobacillus Blend, American Ale
ABV: 5.0% IBU: 13

Scuttlebutt & Diamond Knot BrewingThai Me Up: A Thai-Inspired Lager
Diamond Knot and Scuttlebutt Brewing tied their boats to the same dock to collaborate on a beer inspired by the Far East. Wanting to represent the light and delicate flavors of Thailand, this beer was brewed with jasmine rice and infused with lemongrass, galangal root, and kaffir lime leaves. Late addition hops of Sorachi Ace, Mosaic and Citra give it a bright and welcoming aroma. Being tied up never felt so refreshing!
ABV: 5.0% IBU: 15

North Jetty Brewing – Seaview, Wash.Cape D. IPA
Hoppy west coast IPA with floral and citrus notes from three of the Big C Hops: Columbus, Cascade and Centennial. A balanced and refreshing IPA that’s not too heavy.
ABV: 6.2% IBU: 584-23 Dampfbier
An obscure rustic historical style brewed in the Bavarian forest region of Germany. A steam beer (Dampf = steam) so-called due to the high 75-degree fermentation temperature, which results in lively phenolic and Belgian-like flavors. Brewed in honor of the 500th Anniversary of Reinheitsgebot, the Bavarian purity law.
ABV: 5.6% IBU: 21

M.T. Head Brewing – Graham, Wash.Power Head Saison
This Saison is a French version. We did this beer as a collaboration with the Power House Brewer in Puyallup. We used all French grains and hops, then added cardamom and black peppercorns during the whirlpool process to give this beer its fine taste. We then aged it in a Syrah wine barrel for eight months.
ABV: 7.0% IBU: 10Zeus’s Revenge
Our version of a classic Northwest IPA. This beer has a solid malt base contributing to a medium alcohol level. Large additions of the special hop varietal Zeus are used to provide an aggressive bitterness. Dry hopping during conditioning further adds to the wonderful aroma; a real hop lovers’ beer.
ABV: 6.55% IBU: 75

Featured Cider Descriptions:

Edgefield Winery – Troutdale, Ore.Black Cherry Cider
Made with a generous addition of dark cherry juice to a base of dry apple cider, this bright ruby-hued cider presents with a rich cherry-scented nose and an undercurrent of fresh apples. In the mouth, sweet cherry flavors blend seamlessly with the tart acidity of the apples.
ABV: 6.8%Pomegranate Cider
Our Pomegranate Cider is crafted with those unexpectedly gorgeous winter sunny days and the warming weather in mind. The tartness of the pomegranate is balanced with the crispness and sweetness of the apple, making for a refreshing quaff, rain or shine.
ABV: 6.5%

d’s Wicked Cider & Sun River Vintners – Kennewick, Wash.Baked Apple™
d’s Wicked Baked Apple™ is a premium, artisanal, handcrafted cider made with natural flavors and the freshest Washington State-grown apples. Off dry with a hint of spice, Baked Apple™ hosts the flavors of Red Delicious and Honey Crisp apples, finishing with a perfect touch of allspice and cinnamon. Just like the apple pie Grandma made, only WICKED!
ABV: 6.9%Cranny Granny
Cranny Granny is a handcrafted hard apple cider made with freshly grown Granny Smith Apples from the Pacific Northwest and infused with fresh Cranberry Juice. Cranny Granny boasts an abundance of candied green apple and fresh cranberry aromatics, and leaves the palate with a tart, yet fresh, finish. Cheers!
ABV: 6.9%

There will also be the Whiskey Pass to the World and five ciders for your sampling. From 2:00 to 8:00pm pair your samples with barbecue food specials. Whiskey Pass features spirits from around the world at $3 per sample token.

Live music will kick in during the evening hours inside the Theater where its 21 years of age or older. Left Coast Country will bring its bluegrass music at 7:00pm. Then The June Bugs will bring its high-energy pop at 9:00pm.

Amtrak is partnering with McMenamins to offer buy one, get one free tickets on all 18 stops on the Amtrak Cascadesline, whether you’re traveling north or south. Pick up your buy one, get one free voucher at any McMenamins location between April 1 – 15, then purchase your ticket at amtrakcascades.com or any Amtrak station (some restrictions and blackout dates apply; Offer good through April 15, 2016).

About The Author

DJ

D.J. is a Portland, Oregon based writer that spent his formative years in the Midwest. With over 20 years under his belt of drinking beer at festivals across America and the world, he has developed a strong appreciation and understanding of craft beer and the industry that surrounds it. He can be found in any of the great breweries or beer bars that make Portland the best beer city in the world. His writing can also be found in Northwest Brewing News and can be followed on Twitter at @hopapalooza.